Bill > SB2607

This bill establishes a pilot program for community and junior colleges in Mississippi to enter into "facilities performance contracts," which are agreements with qualified providers to improve, operate, and maintain college facilities. These contracts guarantee cost savings, which can include savings on energy and utilities, operational and maintenance costs, avoided or deferred capital expenditures (meaning planned spending on new facilities or major repairs that are no longer needed due to the contract), reduced lifecycle costs, and avoided emergency repairs. The program will run for a maximum of seven years, with the possibility of extension by the Legislature, and unlike existing contracts, it waives the typical 20-year payback period limitation, allowing contract terms to extend up to the useful life of the improvements. These contracts can also include long-term services like operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and management, as long as they directly contribute to the guaranteed savings. Each contract must include a written guarantee of cost savings, an annual reconciliation of guaranteed versus actual savings, and industry-standard measurement and verification procedures. Colleges can use a qualifications-based or best-value selection process for these contracts, bypassing standard competitive bidding for construction. Participating colleges must submit annual reports to the Mississippi Community College Board and the Legislature detailing contract specifics, savings, avoided capital expenditures, and facility conditions.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2607.xml